Title: A Better Idea
Fandom: Brokeback Mountain
Rating: NC-17 for language, explicit sexual content
Genre: a/u
Pairing: Ennis / Jack
Words: 2855
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: The O/S characters belong to Annie Proulx, all the rest are my own creation. No profit or fame being sought from this, my own story
Notes: This story is dedicated to Heath Ledger
Summary: After the "I wish I knew how to quit you" argument at the Trail Head in 1983, Ennis and Jack finally have a better idea
Feedback: Yes, please. I hope my story brings you peace
Chapter 51 - 53FF
Did you call me a bitch last night?
You deserved it!
Hmmm, maybe. How 'bout if I kiss it and make it all better?
Ennis ducked his head under the covers and took the previously abused nipple between his lips and gently kissed it. He teased and licked round and round the nipple. He sucked and nipped on his newest plaything, then he switched to the right nipple and gave it some sweet attention.
Jack could not control his reactions. His whole body jerked and tingled to Ennis' ministrations. He murmured, "here, let me." And did the same to his man.
While they were making sweet love in their sturdy new bed, the first snow of the season began softly falling all around.
The little grave at the base of the sycamore was soon covered with a light snow, and indistinguishable from its surroundings. By morning, their land was blanketed in white, a glistening wonderland.
By noon the winds picked up and the snow came even harder than before. It seemed to be turning into a blizzard. When Ennis finished giving the animals clean stalls, fresh food and water, he tied a heavy rope from the barn door to the back door of the house. He'd never have made it out and back safely for the evening feedings if he hadn't. By nightfall they were in a complete white-out.
During the build up of winter's fury, Jack had called mama and daddy's place to see if they were alright. Later that night, Ennis called again. Claire said she'd spoken with Walter and Iris earlier, and they had talked with their kids, and also with Harold and Margaret. Everyone was well provisioned and prepared to ride out the storm if it didn't last more than three or four days. It lasted five.
During the forced downtime, everyone slept a lot. They read, or drew pictures or made lists of new ideas for their ranch once the weather let up. This was the time to pull out the seed catalog, for polishing saddles and tack, for writing letters, for popping corn and playing checkers. And making love, of course.
Ennis chewed on the end of his pen, trying to think of what to say to Herman, and how to say it. Not one to get fancy, nor show much emotion publicly, he decided to offer a face to face meeting, and let Herman do what he could.
"Dear Herman, hope you are well. We are all fine here. Was thinking you and the boys from the ranch might want to come here and see the place we built in Loveland, Colorado. If you would like to come in the spring, say middle of May or so, bring everyone for a big barbeque weekend. We have plenty room for all the wives and kids too. Be sure to invite your aunt Greta and Mrs. Fowler too. Write back with any possible dates; Jack and I are pretty flexible. Yours truly, Ennis Del Mar"
Two days later they joined a search party for one of the neighbors down the road who had lived there for 18 years. They came upon his frozen body on the third day. He had curled up at the base of a tree and died, not 300 yards from his own barn.
His wife lost her mind from grief and fear, having just gotten up from her confinement. The baby was two weeks old when his father died. The woman did not wait a day after burying her husband. She packed her belongings and those of the older three children into the back of the old pick up.
The note she left on Ennis and Jack's door was self explanatory:
"You two are good people. You've been good neighbors to me, Mr. Del Mar and Mr. Twist. But I can't take it any more; going home. See to the young'un, he's only a fortnight old, ain't even named yet. Would appreciate it if you'd go over and retrieve the animals as soon as you can. Keep'em, sell'em or whatever you will. It might help with the cost of raising this baby. I would have loved him but without Fred, I just cannot take on another child. I wish you and him the best, And sorry. I ain't a bad person usually. Camilla Rae Branchard"
They found the note tacked to the back door, but no baby. Anyone would freeze in an hour or two out here, a baby even faster. They found him in a box, next to the oven, Bailey had climbed in and snuggled him, keeping him warm as toast. Barley and Bobo napped nearby.
On the kitchen table was a stack of diapers, and a few odds and ends of clothing as well as two small blankets that used to be blue. There were three bottles of milk in the refrigerator. One box of baby oatmeal cereal, half empty, sat on the counter next to the stove.
Ennis was so concerned, he grabbed up the baby, after gently dislodging Bailey, and took off all his clothes. He counted all his fingers and toes. The little guy was scrawny, but he had all the right parts. He was sucking on his fist the whole time, and the guys knew it wouldn't be long before he began to howl for his bottle.
"Jack, boil up some water, would you?"
Ennis lay the baby on the kitchen counter and washed him from head to toe with the water that was beginning to heat. He felt bad that all they had was the rough Lifebouy soap; they'd have to get something gentler for this little one. All the while he was washing him, Ennis kept cooing "your mama didn't want to leave you little boy, poor little fella with no name, you're a good boy, yes you are, raise your arm, that's good."
One thing about Ennis Del Mar. He had only had daughters. He learned something new today. Don't lay a naked boy down in front of you to change or wash him, he'll pee in your face, no doubt about it. Ennis, being tall, only got his neck peed on . . . and down the front of his shirt. He started laughing and threw the used diaper over the spraying penis. Jack laughed so hard he almost cried, all the while, wetting a wash cloth with the hot water and trying to wipe Ennis free of urine.
"You knew better, didn't you, Twist?"
"Yeah, course I did. Bobby got me good though, the first time I changed him!"
Earlier Jack had retrieved one of the baby bottles and set it on the counter to take the chill off. When the water got fully hot, he poured some in a bowl and set the bottle of milk in it to warm.
With the baby freshly bathed and dressed, Ennis tested the milk on his wrist to see if it was too hot or too cold. It made no impact on his skin, so he knew it was body temperature . . just right.
Jack hovered over Ennis and the baby, watching like a hawk. Even though they had each raised children, this sudden addition to their life was like the first time for them both. They marveled at his mouth as he sucked, at his throat as he swallowed, at the fingers so tiny and curled around Ennis' big finger. Ennis looked up into the face he loved so much. "Breathe, Jack."
"Guess I was concentrating so hard on him, I forgot to breathe."
"Jack, this is our little boy. This is the baby we been talking about and wanting, just didn't know where he'd come from."
"Ennis, they ain't gonna let us keep him!"
"Says who?! The mama gave him to us fair and square! That oughta count for somethin, don't you think?"
"I don't know. I don't know, Ennis. Just seems too good to be true."
"Call mom. She'll know. Tell her she can come see our boy if she wants to, but to be careful, it's still awful slippery out there."
"No, I'm not gonna call her with news like this. I'll go get her."
"Okay darlin. C'mere first. I need a kiss real bad."
Ennis stood up, put the baby on his shoulder with a towel under him in case he spit up, and proceeded to rub his back.
He stopped rubbing long enough to draw Jack's face closer for a reassuring kiss, and then waved him on his mission. "Be careful." He continued then, round and round, circles and pats, until he got the burp he was wanting.
By the time Jack returned with his stunned mama and daddy, the boy was asleep on Ennis' shoulder. He hadn't burped yet following the last half of the bottle, and Ennis was still patting and rubbing.
Claire took the slumbering child from him, and laid him out along her arm, palming his head and rubbing down his back, and then patting him. After a minute, he woke with a loud burp, and all the adults laughed nervously.
"Let's get a good look at you, little fella." cooed John Twist as he reached for the baby. "Whatcha gonna do with him?"
"Don't know, guess he can sleep in the box his mama brung him in, for the time being." Ennis showed them the note Mrs. Branchard had left on their back door. He told of the scene that greeted them when they stepped into their kitchen, Bailey cuddling the boy, keeping him warm.
At that, everyone looked around for the pups who were formerly the center of attention. They were lined up by the wall, watching the proceedings and waiting for whatever was going to happen.
Just then, a lusty wail emerged from the baby, now being held by John. He looked around, panic stricken, and handed the baby to Jack. Jack hoisted the boy up on his shoulder and began to bounce him as he walked around the room, talking to him non-stop. "You are in good hands here, don't you worry, we're going to take awful good care a you, yes we are, you are one lucky boy to have landed in our house, you bet."
Ennis stood with his arm around mom, watching fondly as Jack bonded with their new son.
"You been wantin a baby ever since we went to see Maggie, haven't you, son?"
"Can't get nothin past you, mom."
"Got any names in mind?"
"No, I think we're gonna need help with that."
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NAME THE BABY CONTEST . . . NAME THE BABY
Please comment with a name you think Ennis and Jack
would or should give this boy in the winter of 1984.
The author, that's me, will decide what name she likes best,
And that will be the winner. No prize offered except you will receive
Credit in the header of this story for naming the baby.
Come on, this tiny boy needs a name. . . OH, and what should
his last name be? Del Mar, Twist, Branchard or something else?
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End of chapter 51 - 53FF